This paper is part of a series that provides background information for colleagues taking part in the development of programmes as part of the London Youth Employment Initiative (YEI).

There are four papers in the series:

- **Paper One** – Provides a brief overview of the YEI and European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in London
- **Paper Two** – Provides a summary of the key responsibilities in the development of YEI programmes
- **Paper Three** – Provides an outline of the programmes to be developed
- **Paper Four** – Sets out the objectives for the Task and Finish Groups that have been established to develop programmes

This Paper summarises the main responsibilities for the development of YEI in London. The London Enterprise Panel (LEP) is chaired by Mayor of London and is the body through which the Mayor works with London’s boroughs, business and Transport for London to take a strategic view of the regeneration, employment and skills agenda for London. It has overall responsibility for London’s ESIF strategy and funding priorities.

The role of the Skills & Employment Working Group is to inform the LEP’s approach to: (a) championing skills in London and to propose priorities for skills training in London (age 14+); (b) making recommendations to the LEP on issues related to skills and employment in London including improving efficiency and effectiveness of existing skills and employment provision in London; and (c) making recommendations to government on behalf of business, the Mayor, Boroughs on issues related to skills and employment in London. Its membership includes local, city-wide and national government organisations / agencies, provider representatives and businesses. It offers critical advice about ESIF and makes recommendations to the LEP about the YEI and its programmes.

The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) Planning Group ensures that strategic partners work closely together in the planning and implementation of the YEI element of the London ESIF Strategy and that YEI is introduced efficiently and with maximum benefit for young people. It builds on the work of the YPES External Funding Group which has promoted over the last three years a consistent approach to the integrated commissioning of youth programmes in London. Its members include the Greater London Authority (GLA), London Councils and Opt-In Organisations.

The GLA has five main roles in the YEI strategy / priorities for London:

1. The GLA’s Economic and Business Policy Unit (EBPU) brings public and private sector bodies together in London to achieve the Mayor’s vision and economic development strategy. It facilitates the LEP’s agreement of the ESIF strategy and funding priorities for London;
2. It provides the European Programmes Management Unit (EPMU), the “Intermediate Body” for London that ensures delivery of the strategy and programmes;
3. Through its Education and Young People Division (E&YP) it supports the implementation of the Mayor’s priorities for Children and Young People;
4. The GLA’s Delivery Unit commissions programmes funded as part of the 2007-2013 EU Structural Funds programme and will be commissioning programmes through its role as a local match funder in the LEP ESIF 2014-20 programme;
5. GLA (primarily through GLA Economics) provides London-wide data that underpins the strategy, assessment of need and programme design.

London Councils is a cross-party organisation representing London’s 32 borough councils and the City of London. It develops policy and provides London-wide services. London boroughs are involved in structural funds in a three ways:

1. Boroughs directly access funds for local schemes
2. Boroughs influence the content of programmes so that they are more responsive to local circumstances
3. With London Councils acting as a Co-Financing Organisation (CFO) on behalf of boroughs, boroughs directly run programmes that address local priorities.

There are two divisions of London Councils that are involved in the YEI. The Young People’s Education and Skills Board (YPES) is the lead strategic body for education and training services for young people aged 14-19 in London. It provides pan-London leadership for 14-19 education and training provision in relation to the current and future needs of learners and employers, supports local authorities in undertaking their statutory functions, and assists other stakeholders in planning, policy and provision. London Councils’ Policy And Public Affairs Directorate (PAPA) includes within its remit for economic development: enabling boroughs to improve the effectiveness of employment programmes in London; improving the skills system for the capital’s employers and residents; driving economic growth through high streets and town centres; supporting boroughs to develop the infrastructure to generate economic growth; supporting boroughs to create good quality apprenticeships (particularly through procurement); engaging employers to generate apprenticeship opportunities (especially for 16-18 year-olds) and influencing the development of EU Structural Fund programmes for 2014-2020 in London.

The main Opt-In Organisation for YEI will be the Skills Funding Agency, though the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Big Lottery Fund are also Opt-in organisations and will be involved in the design and delivery of programmes.

Programmes will be developed through Task and Finish Groups made up of the above strategic partners and other stakeholders.

Other stakeholders (i.e. organisations not taking part in the YEI Planning Group) are involved in the development of programmes because:

- they can add insight to the specific needs of priority disadvantaged groups identified in the ESIF Strategy for London;
- they have prior experience in delivering programmes;
- they have local knowledge that can add value to the design of programmes;

References:

2014-2020 ESIF Strategy for London (latest draft): [www.london.gov.uk/esif-draft-strategy](http://www.london.gov.uk/esif-draft-strategy)

LEP Jobs and Growth Plan: [http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/publications/london-enterprise-panel-publishes-its-job-and-growth-plan-for](http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/publications/london-enterprise-panel-publishes-its-job-and-growth-plan-for)

GLA Economics: [http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/publications/gla-economics](http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/publications/gla-economics)

GLA - EPMU: [https://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/championing-london/london-and-european-structural-funds](https://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/championing-london/london-and-european-structural-funds)

LEP: [http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/working-in-partnership/london-enterprise-panel/about-lep](http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/working-in-partnership/london-enterprise-panel/about-lep)

London Councils (economic development): [http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/economicdevelopment/](http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/economicdevelopment/)

London Councils: YPES: [http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/children/education14to19/default.htm](http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/children/education14to19/default.htm)

Skills Funding Agency: [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/skills-funding-agency](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/skills-funding-agency)